The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-12-31
sYKBsvnbH ITEMS.
Christmas at sykesvi1le--A Temperance
Eose--soms Suggestions on Public Roads.

Eose--some Suggestions on Public Roads.
Christmas was generally celebrated in
Sykesville and vicinity much in the old time
way; nearly every one kept open house. The
churches were well attended and those who
went 10 church in the morning took their
''nogg in the afternoon. Attic Catholic and
Episcopal churches.the services wereimpres-
sive; both were decorated, and the music was
remarkably fine.
The young folks took Monday AS their
Christmas, when much more latitude was
given them. After all it is the young folks
holiday, for the older ones are made glad 10
the JOYS Of the children, which brings 10
memory the happy Christmas days of their
own childhood.
The stores closed early after one Of the
most remarkable business weeks in their his
history.
There were many happy family gatherings
but the happiest man in Sykesville was Mr..
Asa Hepner, who won the baby on Christmas
Eve.
Merchant Mellor contemplates taking a
trip to Florida next month, in company with
Mr.. Chas Hermann, of Ellicott City Mer
chant Mellor has entirely recovered the use
of his nose, which at one time was threatened
with destruction. This is the only temper
ance nose that was ever known to blossom in
Sykesville.
Mr.. Jacob NJ. Zimmerman, one Of our best
known and most substantial citizens, cele-
brated on the evening of the 18th the thirty
third anniversary Of his bachelorhood. The
bad weather prevented many distant friends
from coming, but those who were present
were entertained handsomely. Among the
presents were bright flowers from fair friends,
and one kind token from lady friend was
tiny pair of baby's golden slippers, which we
thought were very suggestive.
The condition of the public roads is again
attracting the attention Of the people of this
district; indeed we hear from all parts of the
county that some remedy must be suggested
whereby our roads can be made better. We
want more than summer roads; we want roads
for all the year around. In the lower part of
our district the roads are, in many places,
almost impossible. Our County Commission
ers in their wisdom, did probably all they
could do, and went as far as the funds allow
ed them to go, but this is progressive age,
and the people demand more. A prominent
merchant suggested to us that the county is
sue bonds payable in so many years, as might
be expedient, at three and four per cent,
which he thought could be readily disposed
of, aud that practical man be appointed TO
supervise each district Let the roads be
widened to the lawful width, and the proper
lines Of each established. Letth main roads
be taken first, and piked wherever necessary.
This system of patching, he said, would never
do, as the money appropriated was not near
sufficient to do the work properly. He
thought the money weuld come back to the
county with interest ten fold, ss it would en-
nance the value of property and lead to great
er improvements away from the rail roads,
thus adding to the taxable basis.
Our idea is that more interest should be
taken lpractical interest, we mean by owner
and tenant, whose lands border ON the public
roads. If little of their time were given
each year with the labor at their command,
the roads would be greatly benefited. Nearly
every farmer has stones on his land which he
has no use for. Let him haul them into the
public road and break them in the bad places,
or let him open ditch, that q wash out may
be saved. Nearly every farmer so situated
has a few days at his command that he could
give to the public roads, and he would be
actually benefting himself more than the
public. Then, too the roads might he saved
if they were not used fer heavy hauling, except
when absolutely necessary. A few days would
allow the roads to settle, and the wear and
tear on the team would be much less, for it
appears to US it is really cruelty to ANIMALS to
allow team to drag a heavy load through
mud knee deep. Then the maAy mishaps that
occur, the nreak downs ana ueIepllonS, Ntleb
bring serious loss to the owner Of the team.
A railroad when In good repair can be heavily
freighted over, but when in bad repair ruin
and destruction follow, So it is with public
roads. The plan that We have suggested has
been most faverably demonstrated around
Springfield, where the owner has found an
easy disposal of his property at increased
prices thus benefting himself and the county
as we'll We don't know that our plans will
be followed, and don't think they will, but we
would call the attention of our new board OF
County Commissioners to this important sub
ject.
Your Hampstead correspondent says they
have plenty of soldiers but ne eanteens, Now
1 he may mean something or may not mean
anything. A eanteen is an important part OF
soldiers equipment when in actual service.
We have carried one. Sometimes it was filed
with brandy, but oftener with water, and we
never failed to share it with comrade,
whether in the camp or lying wounded on the
battlefield. What we think your eerreapaq
dents saldieFs want is not canteens, but a
little more sand in their Graws.
The ApvaCAFR grows brighter with every
year, and may it next year outshine itself
May every reader have a prosperous year in
the one just dawning, and may we prosper
with you.